Is the Super Committee destined for gridlock?
I’m positive about it. The committee has good diversity. The members either bring specific and personal expertise to the task at hand, or they have the ear of the leadership. I think a process has been set up that can succeed.
Some say $1.2T in deficit reduction is not adequate. Do you agree?
Yes. But it’s either going to be twice that,or more and bipartisan; or it’s likely to fail. Hitting the figure right on the $1.2T and getting bipartisan support or forcing it through by one vote isn’t going to happen.
How involved should the president be?
When Congress was successful in the past with big reform proposals — for example, welfare reform in 1998 — it was bipartisan, it was big, and the president was involved. If that happens now, there’s a lot of potential.
What should the group’s guiding principles be?
To aim to create a plan that isn’t just about the money, is bipartisan, is pro-growth, slows the rate of growth in health-care costs, and is innovative. It should also have a values discussion about the role of government.
Is the sequester enough of a threat to force a plan?
Congress works on deadlines. They work when the sword is falling, not just hanging there like it is now. There are a couple of other swords —namely, the election. They’re prone to want to wait until the election passes.